Printing machine



April 23, 1929.

F. L. RAWSON PRINTING MACHINE Filed May 7, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet Aprii 23, 1929.

F. L. RAWSON PRINTING MACHINE Filed May '7, 1928 3 sheets-sheet 2 Invenion A/wfLRAwso/v.

Aprilza, 1929. f F L, RAWSON '1,719,551

' PRINTING MACHINE l Filed '2, 1928 s sheets-sheet 3 t roin, respectively,` the conveying elen'ient.

i:atented Apr. Z3, 19229.

UNITED STATES FRANK L; RAWSON, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

PRINTING Application filed May 7,

In thc counting rooms and ollices of banks,

insurance coii'ipanies and many ot the large mercantile houses having their own somewhat specialized systenisof accounting, there are required for tabulating and recording purposes, certain blank toi-ins which have, heretofore, usually been supplied byinercantile printcrs.-

in some casesL the expedient oidoing their own printing liasbeen resorte-dto by these concerns, using i'or, the purpose small, handoperated devices which `not only are slow iii production but give very interior vresults in the grade ot work produced.

Furtlieri'nore,these hand-operated stamping aillairs are much disliked by the general runot Vofiice help, especially by the femalev employees, as they require considerable strength to operate, soil the hands by 'contact with the inked parts andare quite apty to smear the blank with ink or blur the copy unless painstakingV care is exercised in handliiigtlien'i. f

lvfiy inventionv relates, in general terms, to print-ing machinery, but more particularly applies rto a toot or power operatedmacliine for oi'lices, and with which any formalprinted matter may be done on cards, cov/erster coupon books, pads and the like, and accomplished with dispatch, ncatiiess and accuracy.

One of the objects ot inyinvention is tov provide apparatus which vcan be operated by any of the smaller iiaid'einployes' inthe otiice,

the 'work being performed at times when they are not otherwise, occupied, resulting in a saving in cost ot the printed matter.

V'Another object is to make the machine more or less auton'iaticin its action, requiringr vthe least amount ot handling` of parts, once the proper type yset-up is made.v

fr speeiiic obj'ect resides in lthe'arraiigeinent 'ior conveying the type forms in rotative order to the printing position. Y I employ lfor this purpose a wheel or drum on which a plurality ot the type forms are mounted', the' wheel being rotated to bri any particular one ot the respective type termsy from which it is desired to obtain an imprint into the'position in which thcprinting operation caribe performed. Y L i VvAnother object isV the ineansprovided for making the chases in which the type is set, iclly attachable and `detachable* to and machine;

- neatli and at one end of which is a drawer iviaciiiixin.V

192s. sei-iai No. 275,779.

A `further and veryimportant object is the method of resiliently mounting lthese type chases on the rotatable wheel, giving the type a yieldableness when the impression is being taken.

And a still further object concerns the novel construction and operation ot' the coinbined blank carrier and inking pad, the actuation of which, both to ink the type and strike ot an iii'ipression, is accomplished solely by at Jthe present time, I consider preferable to other possible .torins infwhich the invention might be carried out. Y

In the drawings, '1 K' 'Fig'. lis an end elevation of my printing 1 Fig. 2` is a `iront elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation, taken online 3 3, Fig. 2;

,'Fig. 3 is a view showing the relative posi-y tions of certain elements in the machine a certain period in the operation thereof;

Fig. 4 is a sectional yview of the blank carl' ink pad in 'positionto ink line 6 6, Fig. EZ;v

Fig. 7 is asectionalview vtaken on line l Fig'.- 8 isa perspective viewr of the inner side of a type chase, showing the elements which secure it to the'ilcxibly mounted band, and Fig..9 is a 'tramcntary, longitudinal scctional elevation of the machine, certain'f'pa-rts being shown iii-full lines and the sectioned` portion taken on line 9 9, Fig. l.

Similarretcrencecharacters identify like parts in all views. y

Aleferring to the drawings, l represents a stand orframe 'towhich the dil'l'erent elements or' themacliine areattached.; K l On thetop of the frame is a table 2, be-

jo. t

for tools, and at the other end a drawer l in which type chases having various arrange-k ments or' type thereon are stored.

Journalled in bearings is a shaft 6 and fixed thereon is a wheel l which may be made in various forms as to-the spoke or web eenstruction, but always incorporating in its malte-up a rim on which may be suitably secured a generally flat rubber band S.

Betore proceeding further with the de scription ot the machine it might be well to state that, while l have illustrated. my invention as embodying two distinct printing outfits, the principles involved are susceptible of being in corporated in a single, or unif tary structure, and my purpose oit showing it as a duplex printeris principallyjtor the reason that the two'units cover practically every requirement in handling various y'forms of printed matter. f V ,l

Surrounding the band 8 is a larger but quite similar band 9 which l tasten to the metal band 10 in any approved manner. It is con.- ceivable that a single 'flexible element between the rim el the wheel and the band 10 might suliice, but I preferably employ the construction as shown.

The cross sectional forms et the bands and the rim et the wheel are illustrated in Fig. 7,-the convex and. concave shapes being tor the purpose et preventing transverse displacement of the bands from the wheel. The

particular function exercised by these bands will. hereinafter be more full set forth. Y

Disposed around the periphery of' the band 10 are a pluralityol type-holding chases 11, each containing a difliereiitset-'up of type 12. The type itselt may be either metal or rubber, and the composition made up of pi or slue's.

.These chases are trictionally secured to the band 10 by strips 13 riveted te the chase and eiiteniling transversely across the band, one end being bent inwardly to clamp one edge oi the baud. and the .other similarly bent to cmbraize the pposite side of the band, an erlended end being lett ou one side to provide a finger-hold with which the ch: may be disengaged and renioved troni the band.

two being connected by the chain 16. il. handie 17 serves as means by which te actuate'the rotary conveyor mechanism.

A pawl 18, the free end of which abuts on the rearward endet the top chase, `insures correct alignment oi the latter when, after passing the proper printing position, theV chase is'turned back to firmly engage the pawl. A

Cofaeting with the pawl to held the parte in a partially locked condition is an impeditive element, che spring 19, which, by engagiingthe rim of the wheel 7, resists the rotative movement of the wheel and prevents slight disalignment et the chase, due to jars or other causes tending` to move it after itv has once been placed in close contact with the pawl.

From a vllat bar 20 secured to and running longitudinally ot the iframe, are a plurality o1 upwardly extending standards 21, ,arv ranged in pairs Vand all tied to the cross-bar 22.V These standards serve principally supports aud guides for the actuating elements for the combined blank carrier inking pad members 23. I

In FigsfQ and 9 the tace views ot the two blank carriersare shown, the one marked A being ordinarily used for printing the outside lear" et pass or coupon books, and the other, identified by the character B beingy employed where single blank cards are to be stamped.

The dii'erencc between these twoblank carriers lies wholly in the vdepression 24, which latter, as reference to Figs. l and 5 will disclose, serves as a well within which the body et the coupon book may be partially housed andV or leaves Y while the outerleat or cover 26 is drawn may be either a rubber pad or aispring. This n element abuts on a iiXed portion of the iframe,

as 'for instance the cross tie-bar V1, and pro-.- yvides Afor a slight over-travel or movement upwardly ot' the treadle beyond the position which the resilient member normally holds it located. The Anecessity for this over-travel will shortly be apparent.

Also pivotally secured to the .traine 1, at 30,'

is a swinging arm 31, makingconnection at its opposite end, on the piu 32, to the blank carrier connecting-rod 33. ,y

The upper end oi the member 33 is `journalledon the pin 3e which` is fixed in the blank carriervi. A connecting-rod 35 eX- tends from the treadle 28 to the arm 31, journalled, respectively, over pins 36 and 37 in these latter members. It will be understood that in this duplexprinting machine there are .tour each of the elements 31 and 35, there lili bei-ng one of the latter on each side of each treadle 28. y

An expansible springBS is provided for i each treadle and maintains the position of the 35 a turnbuckle 35 having right and left hand 1 .threads which either increases'or decreases the length 'of the rod, when rotated thereon.

Fixed on the tablel l is an angular bracket 39, in one leg of which is secured a pin 40. Connecting the two pins 34 and 40 are two links 41 and 42, one end of each of which is journalle'd on the pin 43. The link 42 is iXed on the pin 84 and oscillates on the pin 43 and the link 4l is iixed on the pin 43'and is swingingly connected to thepin 40. It will be observed7 by reference to Figs.-1.and 3, that,

v when the treadle 28is in its normal positionwhich is when the element'29 lightly abuts on in the meantime) the treadle is quickly ref` the member 1--.theV links 41 and 42 are disposed, relatively, in slight disalignment.

Referring vto Figs. 3, 4 and 5, let itbe assumedthat. an yimprint, is to be taken onthe leaf or cover 26 of the pad 25. Fig. 3 delineates the parts at thestartof the operation with respect to their relative positions on the printing machine.

By lowering the treadle -28the blank carrier is drawn downwardly, rotating contraclock-wise as it descends;yand the l1nks41 and 42 which cause this rotative movement of f Y the carrier will jack-knife toward the right as seen in Fig. 4.y This first down stroke of the treadle operates to bring the inking pad 44 into contact withthe type l2 and at the same time the U shaped members 45, by making Contact with the table top, compress the springs 46, the opposite sides of the members 45 now being extendedbeyond the face of the blank carrier. and in this way providing a space in which to insert the pad 25 into the depression4 24 and extend the leaf l26 across the `t'ace vof the blank carrier-into position for printing. The springs 46 normally hold the members 45 extended on the inking pad side ot' the blank carrier. n f

After the operation of inserting the material on which thefprinting is topbe done V( the inking-ot the type having beenaccomplished leased and the element 29 is impacted with enough force against the memberfl" to compress it suiiiciently to allow the treadle to overtravel its normal up position, the blank carrier rising to a point atfwhich the links v4l and 42 are in line (see Figji) and `itself slightly inclined from perpendicular. But in .relation with each other, as

the upward, quick movement of the blank carrier it has acquired considerable rotative momentum and this will result in still further swing-ing the link 42 and carrying the pin-43 beyond the vertical deadV center line through. the pins 34 and *40.y The linkswill nowvbe disaligned, as seen inl dot and'dash lines, Fig. 3, andthe resilient` memberv 29 be returned to its former condition of vbeing but slightly compressed. The' treadle will also be lowered from its extreme high to its normal high position due to thel togglin-g action of the links after the `pin 43 has passed the dead center line. y. j v

vAnother downwardV movement of the treadlewill bring the cover 26. into contact withthe type and any impression thereof taken. It rwill be observed that in this last downward movement of the blank carrier the linksiack-knife onthe opposite side of the vcentral. vertical line from that on which they positioned themselves on the previous down .stroke Vof the treadle.

v On again releasing the treadle a duplication of the movements of the partstakes place,the links returning'to their original, disaligned seen in full lines inFig43.r` 4

At this stage, the blank carrier is in up, positionwi-th the pad and cover just printed .firmly grasped .by the members 45.vr To releaseA the pad another down movement of the blank carrier must be made, but whilel inthe ldown position the type is being inked and after removing the printed leaf another. to ,beprintled is inserted in the blank carrier-and simil ar sequence of movements continued until the -work has been completed. f

The blank carrier marked B operatesin exactly the same manner as does the carrier A. With the' eXception'of the depression 24 and a small independentlyA operated holding clip 47, which is sometimes used on carrier A, the

two blank rcarriers are identical in every particular. f 1

As the type is subjectto nioieor less clog-x.

ging,due to the ink drying-.thereon and-dust and dirtw accun'iulatioml .provide a simple wire. brushcleaner .comprising the bristle Y ing the type set-up therein, it is convenient to have some place in which thc'clnisemay be heldiirmly'while doing the work.` I supplyk a table 50-whichis hinged to the frame l and whenin use it is raised to a horiontal positionjand held by the brace rods 5l. Depressions52, formed in the table serve to receive type-changing operation is under way.

Revel/ting to; a consideration off thefunctionaly characteristics of therubber bands 8 the chasesga'nd hold them securely while. the

and 9, the fact must be borne in mind at the start thatthe machine embodying my invention is a lightly built although well constructed piece of mechanism. To obtain machine accuracy in movin parts it is generally necessary rto employ heavy construction `for the dilifcrent elements. This is the case, for instance, in the ordinary commercial printing machines in which the ymovement ol the'parts are minute'ly controlled so that absolute register and synchroniser of the dil'lierent elements are procurable. For the, service to which my printing machine is to be put this super-accuracy is not required for the reason that I have' anticipated this d-iiiiculty by providing means to eliminate the source oi this trouble. y "Vlere the chases rigidly attached to the rotary conveyor member it would be necessary to provide expensive apparatus to insure accurate lalignment between the type and the material on which the printing is to be done. rllhis is wholly done away with in my conception, as the contact oit the paper with any portion or part of the type set-up will, when the proper pressure is applied, automatically bringthe 'whole si'iritace'olf the type into strong impinge'ment with the paper, insuring a fully `inked impression tliroughout. i Moreover, as these chases-are quick-attaehable and detachable devices, any slight inaccuracy in mounting them 'on the holding band will be taken care of by the flexibility oit .l their supporting agent. f

Furthermore, the element of cost must b considered in placing a machine of this type on the market, and with the construction as disclosed the machine will qualify on this point. y

Asv I have hereinbet'ore stated, a single, thick rubber band might be substituted `for ther two bands 8 and 9; it mightalso be pessible to incorporate a metal spring structure in lieu of vthe rubber material ,-the object, .in any event being to liei-ibly mount the type, so that,l first, a fully inked impressionis obtained over the whole copy, and second,`that a uniform impression,strong enough to give a good imprint but not so potent as to blur the copy, if rubber was used for type purposes', by distortion of the type.

My printing machine is built exceptionally light so that it may be moved handily from place to place in an oilice; is nicely iinished and extremely easy to operate,and will, it is believed, be found a valuable addition to thelistot time-saving devices with which all modern offices are usually equipped.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: Y v

l.- A printing machine comprising a frame, a table on said frame having an'aperture therein, a wheel revolubly mounted in said wheel.

friin thereof, a rubber band interposed between the said metallic band and the rim of said wheel, a plurality of type chases detachablysecuredon and around the periphery of said metallic band, and'means .to rotate said 3. A printing machine comprising a frame, a table having an aperture therein mounted onsaid frame, a wheel revolubly mounted in said frame, a rubber band secured to the rim of said Wheel ra metallic band Vsecured `to and exterior-ly of said. rubber band, a plurality of type' chases arranged around the periphery otsaid metallic band, quick attaching clamping means ,secured to said chases and adapted to' be sprung on to the edges of said metallic band, means to 'rotate said i wheel, and means to positively prevent retrograde rotary movement of said wheel.

4. A printing machine comprising'a frame, a table having an aperture therein mounted on said frame, a wheel revolubly mounted in said frame, av band disposed in spaced relation to the' periphery ot said wheel, yielding means between said band and said wheel whereby said band may be brought into closer relation to saiclwvlieel, a plurality oit type' chases detachably mounted on said band, a pawl, means to bring, successively, the rearward ends et each ci said'chases into engage-V ment with said pawl whereby rotaryretrograde movement thereof may be prevented, and yielding means adapted to engage said wheel and Jfrictionally hold the same against rotation.' Y' y 1 V y 5. Aprinting machine comprisingadmins, a table having an aperture therein'- mounted on `said frame, a wheel revoluble in said frame, a flexibly mounted band on said wheel, means applied to said wheelyieldingly resisting rotary movement thereoit, a plurality of type chases detachably seemed to said band. a plurality or standards extending u1 'wardly llO from said table,`a blank carrier reciprocably mounted between said standards, means to reciprocate-said blank carrier, andmcans to rotate said wheel independently oi' 'the actuationfofsaid blank carrier.V

G. A printingmachine comprising a frame, a table on said'cf'rame, standards projecting above said table", a blank carrier disposed between said standards, means to verticallyreciprocate sai-d blank carrier, and means coacting with said reciprocatory means to im# part a rotary movement to said blank carrier.v 7. A printing` machine comprising a frame an a )ertured table on said frame a 7 7 wheelv revolubly mounted in said frame, a plurality of type-holding chases yieldingly mounted on said wheela plurality of standards on said table, a blank carrier reciproca-L bly mounted between said standards, means f to reciprocate said blank carrier, means to ron tate said blank carrier simultaneously with tlie'reciprocation thereof, anda yielding` element adapted to force said blank carrier downwardly a spaced distance from its eX means to reciprocate said' blank carrier,

means to rotate said blank carrier simultaneously with the reciproeation thereof, means to reverse the direction ot rotation of saidv blank carrierroneach alternate reciprocation, a plurality ot resiliently mounted typeholding chases, rotary conveying means adapted to bring, singly, any one of said type-holding chases into printing` position at the surface'oi` said table, means to lock said rotary conveying means against retro.

grade. rotary movement in said frame, and means yieldingly applied adapted to Jfrictionally resist rotary movement of Asaid rotary conveying?,- means in either direction.

9. A printing machine trame, a. table having an aperture therein mounted en said frame, a revoluble wheel,`a plurality of resiliently mounted type-holding chases on said wheel, means to bring, singly, any one of said type-holding chases into printing position within the aperture ot said table, means to lock said wheel against rotary retrograde "movement, a blank carrier recipro'cably mounted on said table, an inking,` pad extending out ot one side of said blank carrier, blank-clamping means at each end of said blank carrier, and means whereby said blank-clamping,` means is automatically f released when said blank carrier reaches its lowermost position on said table and said comprising` a inkingfpad is downwardly disposed on said blank carrier. y f

10. A printing machine comprising ya frame, a table having an aperture therein mounted on said fra-me, a revoluble wheel, a plurality of resiliently mounted type-holding chases onsaid wheel, a plurality oi' standards on said table, a blank carrier reciprocably mounted between said standards, an 'inking pad on one side of said blank carrier, a well on oneen'd of said blank carrier adapted to receive'the bodyof a pad to be imprinted, blank-clamping means on each end of said blank carrier, one ot said clamping elements embracing said well and adapted to impinge on the body portion of the pad placed therein, springs yieldingly holding, the said clamping elements rin retracted position on the blankv carrying side of said blank carrier, andV means whereby said blank-clamping means. isl released upon the blank carrier reaching its lowerinost position and the inking pad is downwardly disposed. n l

11. A' printing machine Vcomprising a frame, ya table havingV an aperture therein mounted on said frame, a wheel revolubly mounted in said `frame, a circumferential band yieldingly mounted on said wheel, a plurality of type-holding'chases v,detachably secured to said band, means to rotate said wheel, a plurality of standards rising from said table, a blank carrier disposed normally in a vertical position between said stand-4 ards, a treadle, connecting means between said treadle and said blank carrier whereby the latter may be reciprocated, a compressible elementen the top side of said treadle, a helical spring adapted to exert an upward strain Aon said treadle whereby in the normal, up-

ward position of tlielatter the said compres sible element will abut on a liXed portion of said frame andvbe compressed b ut aportion only of its possible compressibility, a pair of connected links on each side of said blank carrier, the lower end of one linkin each pair being` pivotally secured to said table and the upperend of the other link beinpr tixedly secured to the saidblank carrier, and

means to locatesaid blank carrier in its nor- FRANK L. Rawson. 

